Carbonated beverage filler

ABSTRACT

A filling apparatus for carbonated beverages including a filling valve connected to a beverage source under pressure and including a measuring cylinder movable into and out of a container to be filled. The measuring cylinder has a foot valve on its lower end and is telescopically associated with an inlet valve. The measuring cylinder is filled with a predetermined amount of beverage at superatmospheric pressure by moving the cylinder down into an empty container when the foot valve is closed and the inlet valve is open. The inlet valve is then closed and the cylinder is again moved down a slight amount to increase the volume thus reducing the pressure of a measured volume of beverage to atmospheric pressure. The foot valve is then opened and the measuring cylinder is moved upwardly at one rate and the container is moved upwardly at a slower rate relative to the closed inlet valve to transfer the measured quantity of beverage into the container at atmospheric pressure.

Mencacci Dec. 18, 1973 CARBONATED BEVERAGE FILLER [75] Inventor: SamuelA. Mencacci, Saratoga,

Calif.

[73] Assignee: FMC Corporation, San Jose, Calif.

[22] Filed: Mar. 17, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 235,516

[52] US. Cl ..141/11, 141/172, 141/374,

222/1, 222/451 [51] Int. Cl B65b 3/04 [58] Field of Search 222/436, 451,365,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,225,087 12/1940 Tade222/436 Primary ExaminerHouston S. Bell, .lr. Attorney-F. W. Anderson eta1.

[5 7 ABSTRACT A filling apparatus for carbonated beverages including afilling valve connected to a beverage source under pressure andincluding a measuring cylinder movable into and out of a container to befilled. The measuring cylinder has a foot valve on its lower end and istelescopically associated with an inlet valve. The measuring cylinder isfilled with a predetermined amount of beverage at superatmosphericpressure by moving the cylinder down into an empty container when thefoot valve is closed and the inlet valve is open. The inlet valve isthen closed and the cylinder is again moved down a slight amount toincrease the volume thus reducing the pressure of a measured volume ofbeverage to atmospheric pressure. The foot valve is then opened and themeasuring cylinder is moved upwardly at one rate and the container ismoved upwardly at a slower rate relative to the closed inlet valve totransfer the measured quantity of beverage into the container atatmospheric pressure.

CARBONATED BEVERAGE FILLER BACKGROUND OF TI-IE INVENTION psi gauge.Thus, the filling valves are provided with resilient can lip seals whichengage the upper edge of the cans, and each can must be supported on acan lift table which forces the can upwardly'against the seal with aforce at least equal to the beverage supply pressure multiplied by thecross sectional area of the container. Such forces are on the order ofabout 230 pounds when the beverage pressure is 40 psi and a standard 2ll/l6th diameter beverage can is being filled. Because of this highsealing pressure, the life of the lip seal is very short, and seal wearwhich occurs before final seal failure varies the volume of beveragebeing filled into the cans by leakage past the seal and by inconsistentamounts of bowing of the end of the cans. A further disadvantage of thistype of prior art pressure filling apparatus is that the wall thicknessof the cans must be relatively thick, to withstand the high sealingpressures and thus the cost of the containers are unnecessarily high.Another disadvantage is that the carbonated liquid which is directedinto the container is directed in and runs down the walls of thecontainers at relatively high speed causing a scrubbing" action whichtends to release the carbon dioxide from the liquid providingobjectionable foaming of the liquid. Also, air within the emptycontainers is discharged into the headspace of the supply tank resultingin an undesirable mixture of air and carbon dioxide in the headspace ofthe tank. Furthermore, each filling valve must be provided with asnifter valve to bleed air and carbon dioxide from the containerheadspace before the container is released from the lip seal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention thebeverage is filled into the container at substantially atmosphericpressure. For this purpose, each filling valve includes a measuringcylinder having a foot valve and an inlet valve that are relativelymovable. The valves and cylinder define a collapsible measuring chamberwhich when the valves are spaced a predetermined distance apart confinesthe predetermined quantity of liquid therein at the supply pressure andat a temperature slightly above 32F. The measuring chamber is thenexpanded slightly to increase the volume of the measuring chambersufficiently to reduce the pressure therein to a pressure that issubstantially equal to atmospheric pressure. When standard beverage cansthat are 2 11/ 16th inches in diameter and 4 14/ 16th inches long arebeing filled, the measuring chamber is expanded linearly only by about0.00 l-0.003 of an inch to reduce the pressure of the confined liquid toatmospheric pressure.

The measuring chamber is filled and reduced to atmospheric pressure whenthe lower portion of the measuring cylinder is moving to a positionwithin the container wherein the foot valve is disposed immediatelyadjacent the bottom of the container. The foot valve is then opened andthe inlet valve remains closed. The foot valve and measuring cylinderare moved toward the inlet valve at a predetermined rate less than aboutsix linear feet per second thereby allowing the liquid beverage togravitate, as opposed to being forced out of the measuring cylinder,into the container. As the foot valve and cylinder are moving toward theclosed inlet valve, the container is also gradually raised but suchraising is at a slower rate allowing the foot valve to remain below thelevel of the liquid in the container at all times during filling exceptupon initial opening of the foot valve. Accordingly, foaming will begreatly minimized since there is very little opportunity for air to mixwith the liquid. Also, foaming due to scrubbing of the carbon dioxidecontaining liquid will be minimized since the velocity of the liquidrelative to the container walls is reduced to a minimum. It will also benoted that the air within the container is bled directly to theatmosphere and not into the headspace of the supply tank as in the priorart devices.

Since the open upper end of the container is not subjected to anysealing pressures during filling, the walls of the container may bequite thin since no pressure resisting forces, except that required toresist the forces of applying covers to the containers, is required.Also, because the containers are filled at atmospheric pressure, ratherthan at superatmospheric pressure as in the prior art devices,uncontrollable bowing of the end walls of the containers is not aproblem. It has been determined that filling accuracies of 0.1 percentby weight are obtained with the apparatus of the present invention ascompared to an accuracy of i 0.5 percent by weight of containers filledby the prior art device. Also, because upward sealing pressures are notrequired in the present beverage filler, expensive can lifters are notrequired and can tracks that are coated with a low friction materialsuch as teflon are used to support and vary the elevation of thecontainers during filling.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a methodand an apparatus for filling containers with a gas containing liquidsuch as a carbonated liquid at atmospheric pressure.

Another object is to provide a carbonated beverage filler capable offilling light weight thin walled containers.

Another object is to provide a carbonated beverage filler whereinheadspace gases from the containers being filled is discharged directlyto the atmosphere without contaminating the gas or liquid in thebeverage supply tank.

Another object is to provide a more accurate method and apparatus forfilling carbonated liquids into containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan withparts broken away of the carbonated beverage filler of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2A is a horizontal section taken along lines 2A-2A of FIG. 2illustrating the flexible hoses for connecting the beverage supply tankto the several filling valves.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged diagrammatic vertical section taken through one ofthe valves and its operating mechanism.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged central section taken through one of the inletvalves.

FIG. 5 is a perspective of a portion of one of the measuring cylinders.

FIGS. 6-11 are operational views in elevation illustrating progressivesteps in the container filling operation.

FIG. 12 is a cam diagram illustrating the sequence of operation of theseveral components of each filling valve.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIGS. 1 and 2 the referencenumeral indicates generally the filling machine of the present inventionwhich includes a stationary base 22 that supports a stationary tubularcenter post 23. The base also supports an outer wall member 24 that has,extending around the major portion of its upper edge, an inwardlyprojecting rim 25 on which a pair of circular container support tracks26 are mounted. A guide rail 27, which is supported from three fixedstandards 28 projecting upwardly from the side of the outer wall member24, retains containers C on the platform as they are moved in a circularpath. The containers C, which may be jars, metal cans or the like, arefed onto the platform by a star wheel 29 that is keyed to a shaft 29a.As seen in FIG. 2, the shaft 290 is journalled near its upper end in abushing carried by the rim 25, and near its lower end, in a bushingcarried in a bracket 31 and another bushing carried by the base 22. Theshaft 29a and the star wheel attached thereto are driven at a speed upto about 1,500 cans per minute through a bevel gear set 32 from a driveshaft 33 that is adapted to be driven continuously.

A tubular post 37, which surrounds the center post 23, is secured at itslower end to a large gear 38 that also surrounds center post 23 and issupported for rotation on the base 22 by an anti-friction bearing ring39. The gear 38 is in mesh with a pinion 40 that is keyed to shaft 29a.

About halfway up from its lower end, the post 37 has a pusher ring 41secured thereto as by setscrews. At its outer periphery the ring 41 isprovided with twelve equi-spaced pockets 42 (FIG. 1) that receivecontainers from the star wheel 29 and subsequently discharge them ontochute 43 leading to a conventional takeaway conveyor.

At its upper end, the tubular post 37 carries a supply tank or reservoir46 having a cover 46a thereon for maintaining liquid that is to befilled into the containers C under superatmospheric pressure. Thereservior is a heavy sheet metal member that has a conical base wall 47and a cylindrical outer wall 48. A short outwardly extending flangedplatform 49 is rigid with the outer wall 48 and supports a plurality offiller valves 50. Each filler valve 50 is guided for vertical reciprocalmovement by a spider 52 and is connected to the reservoir by flexibleresilient conduits 53 that extend tangentially from the reservoir 46 asindicated in FIG. 2A. Liquid is supplied to the reservoir by a centraloverhead supply conduit 56 and carbon dioxide is supplied through aconduit 57, preferably at a superatmospheric pressure of between aboutl5-40 psig.

In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 there are twelve valve assemblies50 positioned in equi-shaped angular relation around the outer portionof the reservoir. Only nine valves are shown in FIG. 1. The valves areidentical and, as seen in FIG. 3, each valve includes a measuringcylinder 58 that is guided for vertical movement in an annular passagein the spider 52. The measuring chamber or cylinder 58 (FIG. 4) includesa cylinder head 59 and is also vertically movable relative to an annularvalve seat 60 that is suspended by four rods 62 (two only being shown inFIG. 3). The rods 62 are fixed to and depend from a verticallyadjustable collar 63 which is normally secure in adjusted position tothe platform 49. The rods 62 are also slidably received in and sealed byO-rings to the cylinder head 59. As seen in FIG. 4, a conventionalrubber seal ring is disposed in the outer periphery of the valve seat 60to maintain a sealing contact with the measuring cylinder 58 as it movesvertically relative to the valve seat 60.

Vertical movement of the measuring cylinder 58 is effected by a tube 73(FIG. 3) which is connected to the cylinder head 59 and is guided forvertical movement in the collar 63 and in a bracket 65 secured to avertical cylindrical wall 48 of the reservoir. A collar 76, which issecured to the upper end of the tube 73, carries a guide roller 77 atone side and a cam follower roller 78 at the other side. The guideroller 77 travels in a vertical slot defined by spaced vertical tracks79 and 80 that are supported by the lower bracket 65 and by upperbrackets 82 and 83. The cam follower 78 travels in a cam track 84defined between upper and lower plates 85 and 86 that are secured tothree fixed tubular standards 87 projecting upwardly from the base 22.It will be apparent that, as the reservoir is rotated about its centralaxis, all of the filling valves are moved in a circular path, and thecam follower 78 associated with each valve travels in the cam track 84and reciprocates the measuring cylinder vertically. The contour of thecam track 84 will be discussed hereinafter.

Each valve assembly 50 also includes an inlet valve 90 and a foot valve91. The inlet valve 90 comprises a valve member 90a, that is adapted toengage a seal ring 94 (FIG. 4) carried in the valve seat 60, and alifting tube 90b that is slidably joumaled in the tube 73. The tube 90bis reciprocated vertically by means of a collar 97 that is secured tothe tube 90b and carries a guide roller 98 and a cam follower roller 99.The guide roller is disposed in the track between plates 79 and 80, andthe follower 99 travels along a cam track 100 defined by members 101 and102.

The foot valve 91 includes a valve member 910 (FIG. 3), that seats on aseal ring 92 in the lower end of cylinder 58, and a lift rod 91b that isslidably journaled in the tube 90b. A collar 104, which is secured tothe upper end portion of rod 91b, carries a guide roller 105 and a camfollower roller 106. The guide roller 105 is disposed in the slotbetween plates 79 and 80, and the follower 106 travels in a cam track108 defined by members 109 and 110.

Referring to FIG. 1, it will be noted that the containers C are advancedin the direction of arrow A by a feed screw which delivers them to thestar wheel 29. The star wheel rotates in a counterclockwise directionand moves each container into a separate pocket 42 of the pusher ring 41which travels clockwise. The container C is fully in the pocket 42 anddirectly below a valve 50 when it reaches the position indicated by thezero degree radial line position (FIG. 12). Since the lower wall of thereservoir and the valve supporting flange 49 in effect constitutes aturret which carries the valves 50 in a circular path, the reservoirwill be referred to as a turret hereinafter to coordinate the movementsof the valve elements with their circular move- 1 ment.

, The major operations of each valve 50 as it and the container Ctherebelow travel in a clockwise path with the turret are indicated inFIGS. 61 1. In addition, FIG. 12 indicates graphically the movements ofthe various elements. FIG. 6 illustrates the position of the members atthe zero degree entry position. The foot valve 91a is closed; the inletvalve 90a is closed; and the measuring cylinder 58 is in its raisedposition.

For the first ten degrees of rotation the valves and the cylinder areheld in the FIG. 6 position, allowing the containers C to become fullyoriented under the valve 50. At about the position of the turret themeasuring cylinder 58 and the foot valve 91a are moved downwardly as aunit, the valve 91a remaining on its seat. Also, at the 10 position, theinlet valve 90a is moved upwardly off its seat to permit liquid to flowinto the cylinder 58 as it moves downwardly.

At about the 45 position the unitary downward movement of the measuringchamber 58 and the foot valve 91a is stopped as shown in FIG. 7. Duringthe next five degrees of rotation, the inlet valve 900 is moveddownwardly to closed position to trap a predetermined charge of liquidin the measuring chamber.

An important feature of the invention is that after the valve 90a isclosed, the measuring chamber 58 and the foot valve 91a are againlowered to a position close to, but spaced slightly above, the bottom ofthe container as indicated at 118 in FIGS. 7 and 8. The second downwardmovement of the cylinder and foot valve is initiated at about the 52position and is completed during about three degrees of rotation of theturret. This second downward movement of the cylinder and foot valvecauses a slight increase in the volume of the measuring chamber 58. As aresult the initial pressure in the cylinder, which may be substantiallyequal to the equalizing pressure of the dissolved gas in the liquid at aspecific temperature plus the hydrostatic head of the liquid in themeasuring chamber and reservoir, plug any overriding gas pressure in thereservoir, is reduced substantially to atmospheric pressure. Asmentioned previously, the overriding pressure is conventionally on theorder of 15-40 psig, but it will be understood that this pressure may beas low as atmospheric pressure if desired.

After the pressure is reduced, the foot valve 91a is moved upwardlytoward the open position of FIG. 9, the opening movement starting atabout the 65 position and being completed at the 75 position. At thisposition, the measuring cylinder and the open foot valve are movedupwardly as a unit. As the cylinder is elevated, liquid flows into thecontainer as indicated in FIG. 10. When the 272 position is reached, thecylinder has been completely emptied, and the foot valve has beentightly closed on its seat 92.

It will be noted in FIGS. 6 to 11 that the support tracks 26 on whichthe container rides-are relatively low up until theFlG. 9 position isreached. Thereafter, starting at about the 94 position of the turret,the height of the tracks is increased to gradually elevate the containerduring the container filling period. Also, the innermost track is ofless height than the outermost track to hold the container in a tiltedposition to counteract the effect of centrifugal force on the liquid inthe container.

At about the 292 position of the turret the FIG. 11 position is reachedand the filled container is moved into the downwardly inclinedtangential discharge chute 43.

Although the specification and claims refer to the filling of carbonatedliquids or beverages, it is to be understood that the claims are to beconstrued broadly enough to cover the filling of any liquid having anytype of gas under pressure absorbed therein. It is also to be understoodthat the valve of the present invention is capable of handling liquidhaving gas absorbed therein when the liquid in the reservoir is atsubstantially atmospheric pressure.

Although a multiple valve beverage filler has been illustrated, it is tobe understood that the invention is to be construed broadly enough tocover a single manually operated beverage filler of the type used tofill glasses or mugs at a refreshment stand.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that the carbonatedbeverage filler of the present invention is operable to confine ameasured quantity of carbonated liquid in a measuring chamber, to reducethe pressure of the confined liquid by increasing the size of thechamber, and to dispense the measured quantity of liquid into acontainer at atmospheric pressure. Because the containers need not besealed to the filling valve at high pressure, the containers aresupported on inexpensive can tracks which are banked to accommodatefilling at speeds up to about 1,500 cans per minute.

Although the best mode contemplated for carrying out the presentinvention has been herein shown and described, it will be apparent thatmodification and variation may be made without departing from what isregarded to be the subject matter of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus for filling a carbonated liquid into a containercomprising, supplying means for maintaining a supply of carbonatedliquid under superatmospheric pressure, means defining a variable volumemeasuring chamber for receiving and confining a predetermined quantityof liquid at said superatmospheric pressure from said supply means,means for slightly increasing the volume of said chamber defining meansfor reducing the pressure of said liquid to about atmospheric pressure,and foot valve means for releasing the liquid from the measuring chamberinto a container at atmospheric pressure.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 and additionally comprising meansfor lowering the measuring chamber into the container during confinementof the measured quantity of liquid, and means for raising the measuringchamber from the container during the release of the liquid into thecontainer.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 and additionally comprisingcontainer supporting means for raising the container at a slower ratethan the rate of upward movement of the measuring chamber during therelease of liquid into the container.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said variable volumemeasuring chamber defining means includes, means defining an inletvalve, a tubular cylinder telescopically associated with said inletvalve means, a foot valve on the lower end of said tubular cylinder,valve control means for opening and closing said valves, cylindercontrol means for telescopically moving said cylinder relative to saidinlet valve between a first position wherein said foot valve contactssaid inlet valve, a second position wherein said foot valve is spaced apredetermined distance from said inlet valve for confining apredetermined quantity of liquid at superatmospheric pressuretherebetween, and a third position slightly extended from said secondposition for reducing the pressure of the liquid to about atmosphericpressure.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the additional extension ofsaid cylinder from said second position to said third position is about0.001 0.003 of an inch.

6. An apparatus for filling a carbonated liquid in a containercomprising a driven turret, a stationary container supporting tracksurrounding a portion of said turret and having portions which vary inelevation, means on said turret for receiving open top containers anddriving them around the turret, a supply tank on said turret formaintaining a supply of carbonated liq-v uid, a filling valve carried bysaid turret and disposed in axial alignment with the container, conduitmeans connecting said supply tank to said filling valve, a tubularmeasuring cylinder included in said filling valve, a foot valve on thelower end of said measuring cylinder, an inlet valve disposed above saidfoot valve, valve control means for opening and closing said inlet valveand said foot valve, cylinder control means for telescopically movingsaid cylinder relative to said inlet valve between a first positionwherein said foot valve contacts said inlet valve and a second positionwherein said foot valve is spaced a predetermined distance from saidinlet valve for confining a predetermined quantity of liquid atsuperatmospheric pressure therebetween, and a third position slightlyextended from said second position for reducing the pressure of theliquid to about atmospheric pressure, said cylinder control means beingadapted to move the cylinder and foot valve down into the container whenmoving from said first to said second and third positions, said footvalve being opened to release the liquid at atmospheric pressure intothe container while said cylinder control means raises said tubularmeasuring cylinder out of the container.

7. An' apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said container drive meansslides the container around the track and wherein the track lifts thecontainer at a slower rate than the rate of upward movement of themeasuring cylinder when the liquid is being released into the container.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the rate of upward movementof the measuring cylinder is less than six linear feet per second.

9. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein a movement of between about0.001 to 0.003 of an inch is required when said measuring cylinder movesfrom said second to said third position.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said conduit means is aflexible hose.

11. A method of filling a carbonated liquid into a container comprisingthe steps of providing a supply of carbonated liquid maintained atsuperatmospheric pressure, confining a measured quantity of the liquidat said superatmospheric pressure within a measuring chamber, slightlyincreasing the volume of the measuring chamber for reducing the pressureof the measured quantity of liquid to approximately atmosphericpressure, and releasing the measured quantity of liquid from themeasuring chamber into a container at atmospheric pressure.

12. A method according to claim 11 and including the steps of loweringthe measuring chamber into the container while confining the measuredquantity pf liquid, and raising the measuring chamber from the containerduring release of the liquid into the container.

13. A method according to claim 12 and additionally including the stepof raising the container at a slower rate than the rate of rise of themeasuring chamber during the release of liquid into the container.

14. A method according to claim 12 including the step of releasing theliquid from the measuring chamber at a point below the level of liquidin the container during a major portion of the upward travel of themeasuring chamber from the container.

15. A method according to claim 11 wherein the upper surface of thecontainer is open to the atmosphere for allowing air within thecontainer to flow directly into the atmosphere.

16. A method according to claim 12 and additionally including the stepsof moving the measuring chamber along a predetermined path, slidablysupporting a container, moving the container into position below andconcentric with the measuring chamber when moving through a portion ofthe path, moving the container through said portion of said path whileretaining concentric alignment with the chamber, and vertically movingthe container by sliding the container along said path.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein said path is a circular path.

18. A method according to claim 11 wherein said superatmosphericpressure is within the range of about 15-40 psi gauge.

19. A high speed apparatus for filling a carbonated liquid into acontainer comprising a driven turret, supply means for maintaining asupply of carbonated liquid, means defining a variable volume measuringchamber carried by said turret and communicating with said supply meansfor receiving and confining a predetermined quantity of the carbonatedliquid therein, means for slightly increasing the volume of said chamberafter the liquid has been confined therein, means defining a containertrack for receiving the container and maintaining the upper open end ofthe container in position to telescopically receive a portion of saidmeasuring chamber while said chamber is being filled with liquid, meansfor advancing the container around said track while maintaining axialalignment with said measuring chamber means, a foot valve in saidchamber defining means, means for opening said foot valve after saidchamber has been slightly increased in volume, and means for raisingsaid measuring chamber means out of said container at a predeterminedrate for releasing the liquid from said measuring chamber into saidcontainer, said track means including an upwardly inclined portion forraising the container at a rate slower than tainer.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21 wherein twelve variable volumemeasuring chambers are evenly spaced around the periphery of the turret,and wherein the turret is driven at a speed which will fill betweenLOGO-1,500 containers per minute.

Disclaimer 8,779,292.Samuel A. Mencacci, Saratoga, Calif. CARBONATEDBEER- i AGE FILLER. Patent dated Dec. 18, 1973. Disclaimer filed Jan.19,

1976, by the assignee, FMO Gowpomtz'on. Hereby enters this disclaimer toclaims 1, 2, 4-6, 9-12, 14, 15 and 18 01'' said. patent.

[Ofiicial Gazette Mamh 30, 1976.]

1. An apparatus for filling a carbonated liquid into a containercomprising, supplying means for maintaining a supply of carbonatedliquid under superatmospheric pressure, means defining a variable volumemeasuring chamber for receiving and confining a predetermined quantityof liquid at said superatmospheric pressure from said supply means,means for slightly increasing the volume of said chamber defining meansfor reducing the pressure of said liquid to about atmospheric pressure,and foot valve means for releasing the liquid from the measuring chamberinto a container at atmospheric pressure.
 2. An apparatus according toclaim 1 and additionally comprising means for lowering the measuringchamber into the container during confinement of the measured quantityof liquid, and means for raising the measuring chamber from thecontainer during the release of the liquid into the container.
 3. Anapparatus according to claim 1 and additionally comprising containersupporting means for raising the container at a slower rate than therate of upward movement of the measuring chamber during the release ofliquid into the container.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1 whereinsaid variable volume measuring chamber defining means includes, meansdefining an inlet valve, a tubular cylinder telescopically associatedwith said inlet valve means, a foot valve on the lower end of saidtubular cylinder, valve control means for opening and closing saidvalves, cylinder control means for telescopically moving said cylinderrelative to said inlet valve between a first position wherein said footvalve contacts said inlet valve, a second position wherein said footvalve is spaced a predetermined distance from said inlet valve forconfining a predetermined quantity of liquid at superatmosphericpressure therebetween, and a third position slightly extended from saidsecond position for reducing the pressure of the liquid to aboutatmospheric pressure.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein theadditional extension of said cylinder from said second position to saidthird position is about 0.001 - 0.003 of an inch.
 6. An apparatus forfilling a carbonated liquid in a container comprising a driven turret, astationary container supporting track surrounding a portion of saidturret and having portions which vary in elevation, means on said turretfor receiving open top containers and driving them around the turret, asupply tank on said turret for maintaining a supply of carbonatedliquid, a filling valve carried by said turret and disposed in axialalignment with the container, conduit means connecting said supply tankto said filling valve, a tubular measuring cylinder included in saidfilling valve, a foot valve on the lower end of said measuring cylinder,an inlet valve disposed above said foot valve, valve control means foropening and closing said inlet valve and said foot valve, cylindercontrol means for telescopically moving said cylinder relative to saidinlet valve between a first position wherein said foot valve contactssaid inlet valve and a second position wherein said foot valve is spaceda predetermined distance from said inlet valve for confining apredetermined quantity of liquid at superatmospheric pressuretherebetween, and a third position slightly extended from said secondposition for reducing the pressure of the liquid to about atmosphericpressure, said cylinder control means being adapted to move the cylinderand foot valve down into the container when moving from said first tosaid second and third positions, said foot valve being opened to releasethe liquid at atmospheric pressure into the container while saidcylinder control means raises said tubular measuring cylinder out of thecontainer.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said containerdrive means slides the container around the track and wherein the tracklifts the container at a slower rate than the rate of upward movement ofthe measuring cylinder when the liquid is being released into thecontainer.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the rate ofupward movement of the measuring cylinder is less than six linear feetper second.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein a movement ofbetween about 0.001 to 0.003 of an inch is required when said measuringcylinder moves from said second to said third position.
 10. An apparatusaccording to claim 9 wherein said conduit means is a flexible hose. 11.A method of filling a carbonated liquid into a container comprising thesteps of providing a supply of carbonated liquid maintained atsuperatmospheric pressure, confining a measured quantity of the liquidat said superatmospheric pressure within a measuring chamber, slightlyincreasing the volume of the measuring chamber for reducing the pressureof the measured quantity of liquid to approximately atmosphericpressure, and releasing the measured quantity of liquid from themeasuring chamber into a container at atmospheric pressure.
 12. A methodaccording to claim 11 and including the steps of lowering the measuringchamber into the container while confining the measured quantity pfliquid, and raising the measuring chamber from the container duringrelease of the liquid into the container.
 13. A method according toclaim 12 and additionally including the step of raising the container ata slower rate than the rate of rise of the measuring chamber during therelease of liquid into the container.
 14. A method according to claim 12including the step of releasing the liquid from the measuring chamber ata point below the level of liquid in the container during a majorportion of the upward travel of the measuring chamber from thecontainer.
 15. A method according to claim 11 wherein the upper surfaceof the container is open to the atmosphere for allowing air within thecontainer to flow directly into the atmosphere.
 16. A method accordingto claim 12 and additionally including the steps of moving the measuringchamber along a predetermined path, slidably supporting a container,moving the container into position below and concentric with themeasuring chamber when moving through a portion of the path, moving thecontainer through said portion of said path while retaining concentricalignment with the chamber, and vertically moving the container bysliding the container along said path.
 17. A method according to claim16 wherein said path is a circular path.
 18. A method according to claim11 wherein said superatmospheric pressure is within the range of about15-40 psi gauge.
 19. A high speed apparatus for filling a carbonatedliquid into a container comprising a driven turret, supply means formaintaining a supply of carbonated liquid, means defining a variablevolume measuring chamber carried by said turret and communicating withsaid supply means for receiving and confining a predetermined quantityof the carbonated liquid therein, means for slightly increasing thevolume of said chamber after the liquid has been confined therein, meansdefining a container track for receiving the container and maintainingthe upper open end of the container in position to telescopicallyreceive a portion of said measuring chamber while said chamber is beingfilled with liquid, means for advancing the container around said trackwhile maintaining axial alignment with said measuring chamber means, afoot valve in said chamber defining means, means for opening said footvalve after said chamber has been slightly increased in volume, andmeans for raising said measuring chamber means out of said container ata predetermined rate for releasing the liquid from said measuringchamber into said container, said track means including an upwardlyinclined portion for raising the container at a rate slower than saidpredetermined rate while the liquid is being released into thecontainer.
 20. An apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the liquid ismaintained at a temperature of about 32*F-35*F.
 21. An apparatusaccording to claim 19 wherein said container track is banked forcounteracting the effect of centrifugal force acting on the liquid inthe container.
 22. An apparatus according to claim 21 wherein twelvevariable volume measuring chambers are evenly spaced around theperiphery of the turret, and wherein the turret is driven at a speedwhich will fill between 1,000-1,500 containers per minute.